The serial # of the Sukhoi 30MKI is not painted completely. The chief does not have the sortie paper, the WingCo has it but it was reported that the Chief flew the bird. The Wingco's helmet has a NVG integrated. Also the bird seems to be clean no (AAM) missiles!!!

red stoppers in place next to rear wheels....no one places stoppers right after sortie..which means this pic is taken with an aircraft that was on base and perhaps never took to the skies...is tat wat u r trying to say colonel

No sir you got it wrong, its the cost of aircraft that they are flying...earlier they used to write on the nose of the aircraft but now on the ladder.its something like 200 lac... may be your assumption is also correct bcoz it reads 52000...but they used do the latter in early days don't know whether they even follow it now..

OH Col...apne to daryi diya tha!!! Sigh of relief for all of us...We all very well know that DPSU and its union are biggest thugs supported by each successive government in center for financing so-called democracy.

Sorry to rebut you all very conclusively, but I have the original photograph in its full file size, and I can expand it to 24 inches X 24 inches.

The price is that of the ladders. Just for your information, all army equipment has the price written on it, even motor-cycles! The aim was to make the soldier aware of the cost so that he would handle it with greater care.

Those ladders are Rs 12,000/- and Rs 15,000/- respectively. Don't waste your time arguing with me... instead, get out there an sell the IAF some ladders. You won't regret it.

With the greatest of respect, a specialised ladder at Rs.12,000.00 is a pretty good deal. At the prevailing exchange rate, that works out to $228.00. PLease see enclosed link to Walmart - which prides itself on sourcing quantity to provide low prices. Their ladder is only $109.00 but might not be suitable for safe use with an Su....Or even reach as far!

Very ingenious. But these are not ordinarly ladders. These are custom made ladders that need to be of specific standards. Yes, I can put together a ladder of similar shape and size with tubes and welding for much lesser price of Rs 1000. bUt there is no guarantee that when the Air Chief Marshal climbs on it, it wont break and he will fall to teh ground.

That said, 12000 and 15000 is not too much for ladders imported direct from overseas. Its 230 and 285 USD respectively.

When a regular ladder in Home Depot costs 260USD, (see http://www.homedepot.com/Building-Materials-Ladders/h_d1/N-5yc1vZaqnp/R-100659877/h_d2/ProductDisplay?langId=-1&storeId=10051&catalogId=10053 ) I really cannot complain if an imported ladder from Russia, built to specific measurements and certified for certain loads goes for the same prices. Yes once you start manufacturing them inhouse you may make them cheaper, but focus first on building the Sukhois at home cheaper.. ladders can wait.

Price on the ladder! Hum, I remember seeming something that looked like the price printed on the front section (probably the nose) of a Mig-21 in the film Vijeta. I always though I was reading too much into it, but now after 20+ years since first seeing that, I think it probably was the real price of a Mid-21. Indirectly you have actually helped close the loop on an open question. So thank you.

Ajai,That's a gross over simplification. The ladders were probably custom built and in small quantities. The cost of navigating the red tape of the MoD babudom would also have been factored in. You can call it corruption, but I call it "cost of doing business" with this ... this government. Not for a moment do I believe that the manufacturer made a killing here.

A great observation. Such issues may not be restricted to the IAF alone, and may be happening in other services as well? It may be some additional fodder for the CAG to look into? Why not get some appropriate people from the IAF (serving or retired) to clarify)?